I may have been exaggerating to make a point. You know, artistic license...
But think of it this way - Apple Computer went from $8 to nearly $100 (a month ago), and Phelps-Dodge went from under $10 to $130+ish.
Look at how many other ten baggers there were. They were all over the place.
My point remains: 2002-2003 was an absolutely fantastic time to go all in, because the market had tanked so badly. This is almost a historical rule of fact.
I don't know if I'm a 'normal dude' with a 'normal brain.'
I did once win a creative writing award in the 5th grade.